Let’s Get Physical
This week has been a week of different exercise. I didn’t get around to anything formal, in fact I haven’t even had the Wii on to weigh in.
I did get out for basketball and had a really good run. That was the only “official” exercise I got this week. I did get in a few walks to the school to pick up/drop off children and I also went skating with the school in the middle of the week. Today’s workout was derailed by a phone call that ended up in a meeting. So this was a bit of an off week (again!).
So really, there isn’t much to update, except to say I still feel like it’s going in the generally correct direction. I’ll need to get back on track next week. There have been some members of the household at various degrees of “slightly under the weather”, but we all seem to be getting back towards healthy status and that bodes well for getting back on track.
Be – Sermon, Feb. 20, 2011
“Be”
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48
It’s good to be back among you this week. I had a good week at the lecture series at Acadia University in the Valley. The lectures gave me lots to think about. This is a mini-conference primarily for pastors, so the focus of the content was prepared for such an audience.
There were workshops on a variety of topics, I took ones on signs of stress and burnout and also one on the importance of being yourself as a pastor. The evening lecture series was very good as the speaker took us on three nights of looking through various aspects of being a pastor.
The first night we were asked if our identity as a pastor is grounded in grace. In other words, all the stuff we try to hide, our failures, our brokeness, our limitations, do we realize these things can be used by God in our ministries and lives? God’s grace far exceeds our failures, and our stories of hurt and pain can help people in need. read more…
Belly Busting Update
I missed my update last week as I was traveling for the first part of the week then unplugged (for the most part) after getting home for the weekend. There was little to update anyway. As I was away at a conference there was little opportunity to do any kind of exercise.
But this week I’ve gotten back on track. I was back to basketball and had two more “official” workouts. My weigh in early on in the week was not positive. It seems I’ve returned to my start weight. Not that loosing weight was my goal, I have to admit it’s a little discouraging to not see results. However, I did weigh myself late in the day, which does add a some weight. Next week my goal is to weigh myself in the morning, which is what I had been doing. This should be a more accurate reflection of my overall weight change.
Next week will be interesting. Taking the garbage out yesterday I had a serious wipeout on the icy steps carrying a load of compost. I fell hard. Luckily the front steps broke my fall. Initially I thought my lower back and hips took the brunt of the damage, but today I notice my shoulder is very sore as well. I don’t know yet if this will impact my workouts, I made it through this morning. I’ll be adjusting as necessary, but plan on finding ways to continue being active.
Take care and keep it up if you are following along with me!
Helping Our Churches Survive
There’s no question about it. Our churches are in trouble.
Changing demographics of our communities, aging populations, declining membership, financial struggles, increased building maintenance costs, lack of available ministry personnel, lack of interest to serve in more rural areas, all these things have led to a crisis in many churches. Not just in the United Church of Canada, but in churches all across North America, and likely abroad.
I want to float out a few ideas I have which may help alleviate some of this pain. It is my hope we’ll generate some discussion here, or through social media with your thoughts. read more…
Please Pass the Salt – Sermon, Feb. 6, 2011
“Please Pass the Salt”
1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Matthew 5:13-20
This morning we pick up our Gospel reading in Matthew immediately where we left off last week. Last week we talked about the Beatitudes, how people are blessed when they do the work of God in the world. How, when they suffer for what God has called them to do, they will be rewarded for their efforts in the heavenly kingdom.
In this morning’s reading, Jesus follows those words with some words of affirmation. Words to give everyone a bit of a boost, which is good, because he then moves directly into a warning.